COUNTY LIFE

Fun in the sun, household water; Amon Carter filling many needs

Published

10 years ago

09/07/2016

A fisherman enjoys an afternoon fishing near the tunnel that connects Amon Carter Lake to Bowie Reservoir. (Photo by Barbara Green)

This is part of the ongoing Bowie News’ Build a Better Bowie series featuring assets of the community focusing on development and discussion.
By BARBARA GREEN
“Water is the driving force of all nature.”
Those words may have been written by Leonardo DaVinci during the Renaissance, but they ring true today in a world where Mother Nature can bring drought on one end of the country and flood on the other.
North Texas struggled through a major drought in 2014 that continued into the spring of 2015, when the skies opened with generous rain.Within two days it filled the severely depleted Lake Amon G. Carter Lake and Bowie Reservoir. Again, spring and summer 2016 have been wet, maintaining those lake levels.
Owned by the City of Bowie, the lake provides raw water that is treated and then supplied to the residents inside the city, the Amon Carter Water Supply District serving the lake area and Silver Lakes Ranch and several annexed areas along U.S. Highway 81 and State Highway 59.
Drought has been a driving force in developing additional surface water resources throughout the city’s development. Today’s residents are benefiting from the forethought of city fathers who saw the need to develop a secure water supply.

In October 1936, Old Bowie Lake was completed and opened as the new water supply for the community. Located eight miles north of Bowie off U.S. Highway 81, it encompasses 1,286-acre -feet and was constructed as a Works Progress Administration project.

In 1952 according to the Montague County History Book, there was a severe drought. It led the city in February 1952 to lease two water wells from Rock Island Railroad in Stoneburg to supply city water.
By April the water in the lake was below the intake pipe and a pump had to be purchased to get water over the dam. A new water well also was drilled at the lake. Then water restrictions went into effect in Bowie and in September 1952 the city council began discussions on securing a new more ample supply of water. The future idea for Amon G. Carter Lake was born.

Read the full story in the mid-week News. Also please participate in the lake assets survey on the webpage. (Top photo: Labor Day weekend fun at Selma Park) Photo by Barbara Green

COUNTY LIFE

Virtual meeting to address New World screwworm

Published

5 days ago

06/19/2026

bowienews

The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in Montague County is inviting livestock producers, landowners and wildlife managers to participate in an upcoming online educational meeting focused on the New World screwworm, a parasitic pest that can have serious impacts on livestock and wildlife health.
The virtual meeting will be at 9 a.m. on June 23, via Microsoft Teams. Organizers say the session is designed to provide timely information about the biology of the pest, prevention strategies and best management practices for producers in the region.
The New World screwworm is known for its destructive larvae, which infests open wounds of warm-blooded animals. Left untreated, infestations can cause severe tissue damage and even death. Although the pest had been eradicated from the United States in the past and has now entered into Texas. Continued awareness and preparedness remain important for early detection and rapid response efforts.
“This program is intended to help producers and land managers better understand the threat and what steps to take if cases are suspected,” said Justin Hansard, from the Extension Service.
The meeting will cover several key topics, including, how the New World screwworm spreads; general livestock management practices; wildlife monitoring and surveillance considerations, participants will also have the opportunity to learn practical strategies for maintaining herd health.
How to Join the Meeting
The session will be conducted entirely online using Microsoft Teams, and participants can join in one of two ways by joining the directed link (recommended) or by copying and pasting the following link into a web browser and follow the prompts:
https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/275071149431328?p=mOH2bhAqSVgo3AgtMK
Join using Meeting ID and Passcode:

Meeting ID: 275 071 149 431 328
Passcode: u84hq3qX
Participants may join from a computer, tablet or smartphone. No Microsoft Teams account is required; users can select the option to join through a web browser. Attendees are encouraged to log in a few minutes early to ensure their device audio and video are working properly.
More information and fact sheets, can be obtained at our Texas A&M Agrilife Extension website: https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/new-world-screwworm.
The program is hosted by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, which continues to provide research-based education and outreach to agricultural communities across Texas.

COUNTY LIFE

Water supply corp. board to meet

Published

6 days ago

06/19/2026

bowienews

The Amon Carter Lake Water Supply Corporation will meet at 6 p.m. on June 23 at the office located at 607A Lindsey in Bowie.
Public comments and consent agenda open the meeting.
Discussions will include: Review of member notification of rate increase postcards and PUC letter regarding the increase; president’s report on employee unsigned contracts of employment; review of all expenses and update of scanners for meter reading, office systems and software.
An executive session is slated for a discussion of employees, followed by a return to open session for any action.

COUNTY LIFE

Montague Commissioners meet on June 22

Published

6 days ago

06/18/2026

bowienews

The Montague County Commissioner’s Court will meet at 9 a.m. on June 22.
The agenda includes: Montague County Historical Commission to receive a distinguished service award; discuss returning unused funds to the state from the county attorney, district attorney and sheriff’s office; open sealed bids for base rock and budget workshop.